The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

In this edition, I'm joined by our oracle of medieval history, Aidan Mattis, for a chat about the food and cuisines of the Middle Ages—something I think is definitely skipped by writers.Folklorists Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson also join me for an in-depth chat about fairytales—what are they, what can we learn from them, and how to write your own.You can also find a bunch of calls for submissions and all of the latest writing news, such as the takeover of Smashwords by Draft2Digital.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESThe Life Of A Medieval Lord - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lordThe Knight Of Chivalry - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/knight-of-chivalryHow To Make A Fantasy Map - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-mapThe Different Subgenres Of Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-many-sub-genres-of-fantasyJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the process of creating lifelike characters by examining psychology—what makes people who they are? What drives them and why? Political psychologist and YouTuber Abby explains all in our illuminating discussion that's bound to inspire some ideas for your fantasy characters.I also share a very simple yet very effective method of creating suspense. And there are some interesting calls for submissions, as well as a mixed bag of news, but things I think you need to know about.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESTools Writes Can Use To Build Suspense - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/tools-writers-can-use-to-build-suspenseA Guide To Writing Prose - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/what-is-prose-writingFantasy Names Generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator/humanForeshadowing In A Story - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/what-is-foreshadowing-in-a-story-definition-examplesJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAbby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbbySounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode of the new year, I explore evolution and worldbuilding in the fantasy genre with author and YouTuber, Rachel Emma Shaw. We look at how playing around with this particular element can lead to original and exciting ideas. Lucy Atkinson and Janina Arndt from The Fey Fellowes Podcast also join me for a chat about Greek Mythology and how writers can find inspiration in exploring it. And I share the results of my little short story experiment which you can try too. As always, you can listen on every major streaming platform. And if you listen on Spotify, I'd be ever so grateful if you could kindly give the show a rating. It's a new feature and your honest opinion would mean a lot. Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing classes, workshops and courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESHow To Build A Fantasy World - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/natural-worldbuilding-guideWOMBO Dream - https://www.wombo.art/A Guide To StoryOrigin - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/5-reasons-why-every-writer-should-use-storyoriginJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e Rachel Emma Shaw - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're donning our helmets and hefting our axes and shields before diving headfirst into battle with a look at medieval warfare. We'll tell you everything you need to know about making your fantasy battles as realistic and gritty as possible, as well as giving you a few neat ideas to use. We're also looking at folklore, one of the main inspirations for the fantasy genre. We share our favourite folkloric tales and discuss how you can use these as inspiration for your own fantasy stories and worldbuilding. And we've also got the latest calls for submissions, community announcements, and some very interesting news on creating book covers using artificial intelligence. Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing classes, workshops and courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESA Guide To Writing Fight and Battle Scenes - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/how-to-write-fight-scenesFantasy Writing Classes - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesWOMBO Dream - https://www.wombo.art/JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxLearn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we take a look at the interesting relationship between magic systems and science with fantasy author Rachel Emma Shaw.We also take a look at day to day life in the medieval period to provide you with ideas and inspiration for your worldbuilding and fantasy stories.And I reveal the early results from my Book Blogger Survey, essential listening for anyone pitching to book reviewers and book bloggers right now.Plus, I also have some news from the world of writing and our community announcements.The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly fantasy writing podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create a show that’s as helpful, interesting and entertaining for fantasy writers as possible.  Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESThe Lives Of Medieval Lords - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lordThe Pesky Peasantry Of The Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/lives-of-medieval-peasantsThe Lives Of Medieval Women - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/maidens-wives-and-widows-the-lives-of-women-during-the-middle-agesThe Book Blogger Survey - https://forms.gle/TC59tvLFEMXTJT776Article - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/27/a-dirty-secret-you-can-only-be-a-writer-if-you-can-afford-itList of 250+ Book Reviewers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-book-reviewersJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge Rachel Emma Shaw from the Science In Fantasy YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelEmmaShawSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we take a look at worldbuilding, specifically the scientific side, and how writers can make use of the likes of biology to create unique and interesting worlds.We also take an in-depth look at archery, particularly from the medieval period.And we also explore Norse mythology, something that's grown in popularity over recent years.We also share the latest calls for submissions and our community announcements.The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly fantasy writing podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create a show that’s as helpful, interesting and entertaining for fantasy writers as possible.  Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESNatural Worldbuilding - Richie's comprehensive guide to building a fantasy world - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/natural-worldbuilding-guideFantasy and Archery - The Ultimate Guide - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/archery-and-fantasy-a-complete-guideJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge Rachel Emma Shaw from the Science In Fantasy YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelEmmaShaw and check out Rachel's latest book, Sacara Nights - https://amzn.to/3F9eLIJSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxLearn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at how to edit a novel, the mythologies and folkloric tales that have inspired the fantasy genre, and we take a look at the diseases that ravaged the medieval era.We also share the latest calls for submissions and our community announcements.The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create a show that’s as helpful, interesting and entertaining for fantasy writers as possible.  Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comPlease consider supporting us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCES[Download] - Step by step guide on how to edit a novel - https://bit.ly/how-to-edit-a-novel Killer Diseases Of The Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/killer-diseases-of-the-middle-ages How To Edit A Novel - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/how-to-edit-novel JOIN OUR WRITING GROUPJoin our community - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxLearn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're delighted to welcome Evan Gow to the Writer's Toolshed for a very special chat about Story Origin, the book marketing platform Evan's created by hand.Story Origin brings together a host of different book marketing services, such as group promotions, newsletter swaps, advanced reader copy distribution and book reviews.Evan has built this all with user feedback and continues to add new features, as well as develop existing ones. He and Richie chat about the creation process, Story Origin's key features, and Richie explains how he utilises its features to grow his mailing list each month.To learn more about Story Origin head here - https://storyoriginapp.com/Or to read Richie's guide on 5 reasons why every writer should use Story Origin, go here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/5-reasons-why-every-writer-should-use-story-originPlease consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this mini-episode, JM gives his editor’s perspective on submissions and short stories in particular.He provides some quick tips on manuscript format and cover letters, and then he identifies some of the recurring issues he sees in the short fiction submissions he’s been receiving, namely point of view, character arcs, and length.JM’s tips on short stories: https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/2021/05/30/on-writing-short-fiction-writing-in-short/Tips on cover letters (for short fiction): https://www.janefriedman.com/perfect-cover-letter-advice-lit-mag-editor/Richie's tips on writing cover letters: https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/a-quick-guide-to-cover-letters Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever struggled with coming up with names for your fantasy characters, fantasy worlds and towns and cities within those worlds, you can find some answers here. JM Williams and Richie Billing discuss the do's and don't's of names in the fantasy genre, covering everything from overly complex names (including them damn apostrophes!) to good principles and guidelines to keep in mind.As always, get in touch with us by heading here to share your questions, comments and curses - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastIf you'd like to check out Richie's very own fantasy name generator, head here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generatorAnd to read Richie's guide on creating names in the fantasy genre, click here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/creating-names-for-fantasy-charactersPlease consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.